Nevada County picayune., 1887-06-22


 "She's wretch" she declared. a bold, forward, cruel creature She knows Charlie is engaged to me. She knows it. I see it in her eyes, and she works so hard to get him to herself. Charhe doesn't know what he is doing for himself. l will break with him yet, and l do love him so. No one will ever love him SD much."
 She would then cry again and begin the old story of Mrs. Bray's conduct, of her looks. her cOntri- yances, her becks and wreatlled smiles. l felt sorry for the child she was but lG--and sorry, too. for Charlie, who was acting as most foolish boys do under those cir cumstances. But one morning she began another strain.
 "Mrs. Bracy is at work with your Harry now," she said, land she'll twist him round her finger soon, as she does my Charlie, It's witch craft these women have-an nnhO- ly power of some kind. YOu'll see, Etchel; you'll.suflcr as l do soon."
 As the day went on noticed one or two things which looked suspicious. saw that she con trived to meet my lover in the halls and on the stairs, and to sit near him at dinner time, to go out upon the balcony when he did.
 Charlie Beech was allowed to slip back into his old place in Efie's heart. aud my Harry was Mrs. Bray's object.
 Fife had been sharper than I, bat Harry was too strong in love for me to yield, l felt sure.
 It was about the time that Har- ry'S business compelled him to choose boarding place further down town. He left Mrs. Horton's and only called to see me in the evenings, and We began to write to each other. 1 have the little notes he wrote me carefully hidden away even now.
 They are very precious to me. As l read them over they bring those hours back again and I am loving and young girl once more.
 never loved Harry more ten derly than when 1 sat down to my desk one morning to tell him of a little testivity which l had been in- vited to attend, and to ask his es- cort. l never shall forget that day. After had posted the letter l sat in my room and sewed upon the pretty dress l intended to wear, thinking all the while that it was Harry's favorite color, and that he would be sure to like it.
 Fife, happy In her recovered lover, sat with me and read aloud from little book of verses Charlie had given her. They were not fine verses, nor was she an elegant reader, but there was love in them and in her heart and that sufficed. had finished the dress, and sat looking down into the street, when saw boy hurrying along. It was the errand boy at Harry's place, and Fife, who had seen him also. ran down stairs to bring my note to me, for we both knew that it was my answer that shimmered in the little white envelope in his hand. She ran down gayly, hum. ming a tune. She returned with a very serious face. A note was in her hand, with my name upon it in Harry'S writing, but her expression frightened me so that l caught my breath
 "What is it, Fife"
 "Ethel," she sad, very sadly, "l must tell you, though you'll hate me, The boy who brought that note brought one tor Mrs. Bray"
 l was so relieved that l burst in. to a fit of laughter.
 "Why should this trouble mew inquired.
 Don't you see your Harry must have written both?" she asked.
 "NO," said l, "I do not. l am not jealous of Harry"
 Then l broke the seal, and these were the words read:
 MADAME:-~I have another en- gagemement; am oblidged to de- cline yours. H. HEATHCoTE.
 l put the billet down with strange chill at my heart. What had 1 done to deserve thisg What did it mean? What should l do. A note like this from a betrothed lover from whom l had parted with the tenderest caresses. Fife saw that I was in trouble and fore bode to question me, but she gid ed out of the room and did not re. fz NNtA, ch h.,.